Smithsonite with Aurichalcite, Calcite
stock #8.AE-618
79 Mine, Hayden, Banner District, Gila County
Arizona,
United States
5.5 x 4.8 x 2.9 CM (cabinet)
price: $330
Spring 2019
Bright green rounded crystals of Smithsonite are clustered on botryoidal mounds over the face of this matrix. Wet luster and fine form with a distinctive hue, a choice older 79 Mine Specimen. This has zones of accicular Aurichalcite crystals and Calcite that add contrast and interest. In excellent condition and a very colorful Arizona Smithsonite. Even better in person.
Selenite (very clear gypsum crystal)
stock #19.1-238
Naica Mine. Naica, Municipio de Saucillo
Chihuahua,
Mexico
5.7 x 3.1 x 1.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $240
Spring 2019
Textbook perfect, sharp and transparent, a single doubly terminated Selenite from the famed Naica Mine. This is a 1970s vintage specimen in fine condition as seen. There are a few wispy inclusions that are not visible on some display angles, the exterior luster is very glassy with a few areas with very minor frosting. Overall this is a choice example. The Naica mine produced a lot of Selenite in its day. Not much that came out was this fine, most had some damage or edge issues. Now that the mine is closed these better specimens are becoming treasures.
Chalcopyrite with Quartz
stock #6.2-843
Yaogangxian Mine, Yizhang County, Chenzhou Pref.
Hunan Province,
China
4.3 x 3.8 x 3.1 CM (miniature)
price: $290
Spring 2019
We do not see many good Chalcopyrites from Yaogangxian, although it was a common mineral there. This is an excellent, complete cluster of fine sharp crystals in outstanding condition. Very well-defined striations, good patina and esthetic composition, this is all in all a choice piece. For a quite common mineral good Chalcopyrites crystals of this size are rare.
Galena with Ankerite -old English specimen
stock #16.1-568
Nenthead, Alston Moor District
Cumberland, Cumbria,
England
6.2 x 3.8 x 1.6 CM (small cabinet/large miniature)
price: $130
Spring 2019
A dark Galena cube with complex face structures rests on a mix of Ankerite and druzy Quartz. The Ankerite is in two generations the older is translucent the newer is nearly black with inclusions and some faces are iridescent. A cute small cabinet (or large miniature) in perfect, undamaged condition from the historic mines of Nenthead.
Scheelite -Classic Korean
stock #17.1-623
Tae wha Mine, Neungam-ri, Angseong-myeon, Chungju
Chungcheongbukdo,
South Korea
4.2 x 2.6 x 3 CM (thumbnail)
price: $360
Spring 2019
A well formed cluster of elongated Octahedral Scheelites in a stack having selected coatings on some faces. The color seems nearly black but under strong light is seen to a dense dark purple and somewhat translucent. Some minor bruising can be found with magnification exam but it is not seen easily found by naked eye, this is in far better shape than most, some base and back contacts are also noted that are not damage at all. Displays very well from several angles.
Olmiite
stock #19.1-237
N Chwaning Mine, Kalahari Fields, Kuruman
Northern Cape Province,
South Africa
3.8 x 3.4 x 2.2 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $90
Spring 2019
A cute specimen of Olmiite crystals in spherical form on contrasting matrix. Nice luster and fair pink color, these were once all labeled as Poldervartites (a rare mineral at the time of the find) later re-studied and classified as Olmiite (also at that time a rare mineral). This discovery was sizable and enough good specimens found to allow collectors to own a nice piece without major financial pain. In good condition and a good value.
Quartz Scepter showing epitaxy
stock #18.1-655
Boron Pit, Dal'negorsk, Kavalerovo
Primorsky Kray,
Russia
4.8 x 2.2 x 2 CM (miniature)
price: $160
Spring 2019
A new find from the great Dalnegorsk (this from the Bor pit). Choice sceptered quartz in excellent condition, with no chips or dings that hosts smaller Quartz crystals in epitaxial arrangement. The shaft of the scepter is composed of hundreds of tiny oriented small Quartz crystals stacked in perfect epitaxial alignment. These crystals and the "accessory" crystals are of the Cumberland or "Beta" type with little or no prism faces just two terminations joined. The smaller accessory quartz are also epitaxially oriented and have some inclusions and adhering matter that gives them a yellowish color. Some have called these Citrine but I think this color is simply a result of these inclusions. A few tiny crystals of Hedenbergite are on the base of the shaft as well. A choice, undamaged example and a nice scepter with amazing structure when examined closely.
Babingtonite on Prehnite
stock #8.1-233
Hongquizhen Quarry, Meigu County, Liangshan Yi Pref.
Sichuan Province,
China
5.1 x 4.2 x 3.1 CM (small cabinet/large miniature)
price: $600
Spring 2019
Well perched sharp and lustrous Babingtonite crystals on contrasting green Prehnite. The finds of these incredible Babingtonites in Meigu redefined this specie and are considered by far the worlds best. The clear form and bright black luster gives this specimen a strong presence. Esthetic and in fine condition there are a few clear Quartz crystals scattered about adding a nice sparkle as well. Damage free and esthetic.